Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Got a bunch of these in. Now that it’s screening, it’s screening nonstop thanks to the screener ban. Studios are being far more aggressive about early screenings for these types of films. I’m sure this one needs to be seen in a theater, good or bad, to appreciate the craftsmanship that’s gone into it.
THE LAST SAMURAI review
Upon my first look see of the trailer for this Tom Cruise vehicle, I was pretty interested, but then again, after the success and coolness that is KILL BILL, who doesn’t wanna see more sword play? Can I get an amen?!?! Actually, I’m a fan of period epic war films, so I had a soft spot anyway.
There really isn’t too much to say about the film other than the fact that I could smell DANCES WITH WOLVES all over this movie, and I was right. Both dated around the time of the Civil War. Just trade soldier Costner with veteran Cruise and a tribe of Indians for a last regime of kick-ass Samurai’s! That’s The Last Samurai in a nutshell. If you don’t like nuts, then here’s a bit more…
Cruise is about as Cruise as Cruise can get. Nothing too amazing here other than a really well done performance, which isn’t too surprising personally. He’s a good actor, I’ll admit it.
Great overall battle scenes, mixed with a decent enough storyline that does work but do realize that there’s more lull than fighting luster. But that to me is what makes it real. KILL BILL is beyond reality, into a reality that is pure movie and Hong Kong action films of the past. Whereas Samurai is a pretty truthful story that works. All 2hrs.+ of it.
And you know what? If you don’t like battle movies, epics, war dramas, or kickin’ ass Samurai’s, go to see “Peck” from GHOSTBUSTERS. That’s right. He’s in it in all of his red-bearded glory!
Fondly,
Dick Valpak
Here’s Sherlock Jr. with his take on things:
I just saw LAST SAMURAI and was generally impressed. Vincent Ward (NAVIGATOR, VIGIL, MAP OF THE HUMAN HEART, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME) was trying to get this made for over 12 years but couldn't get the studios to pay for it. He is an Executive Producer on the project now. I'd love to have seen what he would have done with it.
But Edward Zwick does a good job. It has connections to his GLORY. Tom Cruise is himself at first but as he settles into the part it was easier to accept. He obviously learned about sword fighting and other Japanese martial arts.
The character development is solid, friendships believeable and only a couple of really bothersome plot holes. Ken Watanabe as the leader of a samurai clan is superb (only seen in the US in MACARTHUR'S CHILDREN and WELCOME BACK MR. MCDONALD)and his sister/widow of slain warrior and potential love interest for Cruise is both gorgeous and a fine actress named Koyuki. Tony Goldwyn adds to his list of bad guys and Timothy Spall lends comic relief.
The battle scenes and fights are terrifically well-staged in Hollywood epic style which bothers me because they miss the poetic beauty of a great Kurosawa or Inagaki fight. There is plenty of blood, plunged swords and piercing arrows but it seems like a lot of visual noise. Numerous convincing horses take falls and they didn't look like CG work but the humane society wouldn't have allowed some of what seemed to be happening.
John Toll's cinematography is gorgeous and New Zealand stands in for Japan of 150 years ago nicely. A shot of San Francisco circa 1876 was breathtaking as were any number of other effects created period compositions.
SPOILER
Though a bit long, I enjoyed the film but was frustrated that it cops out to a Hollywood ending that falls into a long pattern of "white man helps bring honor to the people of color at the expense of their lives."
Interestingly, Director Zwick and star Cruise will host an evening of 4 Kurosawa films on TCM Nov. 23. I urge you to watch.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE!!
... and another...
hey Moriarty,
i had the opportunity to see TLS at a screening today, and it was excellent. having lived in japan for a few years, and having learned about the history of the country, it was great seeing the history visually represented in rich detail.
the movie really has some astounding performances, and i was quite impressed- moreso than i was for either of the LotR films that are out.
the japanese emperor comes across as being a bit fruity, but it's the best that can be expected from the aristocracy...
the theme of one's destiny plays a big role in the film- as the samurai code, bushido, is strongly represented.
Cruise plays his role wonderfully, and does not over do it, the way he's done in his other 'recent' works. the raging alcoholic that has nothing to lose, the wild flailing when he's first captured- his continued beating from his captors when he refuses to relinquish his sword- the defense he puts up against a raiding party of ninjas...
the action here is great, and i'll enjoy seeing it again- the 2:30 flies through, and there's really no dragging of the story.
"Prof. Faber"
This last one is the only really negative review of the bunch. Let’s see how well he argues his case...
Harry-san,
Your old pal Eye-Spy here, typing away with a knitted brow as I try to wade through an earlier "review" of this film by another (ahem) "reviewer" that made me want to commit seppuku all over the place.
I read the script for LAST SAMURAI several months ago and was hugely excited at the prospects. Samurai, Meiji Restoration, the simple elegance of feudal Japan struggling against the capitalist onslaught of the modern world...what could be better??
Let me state that I've been a MASSIVE fan of all things cinematically Japanese since I first strapped on my first pair of broken broomsticks and hacked my little brother to pieces after watching the unparalleled epic that was SHOGUN. My indoctrination by KUROSAWA and OZU soon followed and so on all the way up to the theatrical delights of IRON CHEF... Okay, maybe I'm overstepping a little, but tell me Morimoto (with a bit of Slim Fast) wouldn't have made a bad ass Diamyo.
Back to the review... Let me cut to the chase by coming right out and stating that SHOGUN...THIS AIN'T.
As my brother (now bigger and stronger than me) and I walked out of the theater, he summed up the experience in one perfect sentence:
"Everything was great, except for the movie."
So, what was great???
In a word NINJAS!!!!
There is a NINJA vs. SAMURAI fight sequence that ranks at the very top of any combat in any film anytime. Bold words I agree, but I saw this with an industry crowd that groaned through most of the film, as did I. We're not known for our ability to give our breath away when watching the fruits of our peers labors...
HOWEVER...
At the end of this sequence, there was a moment of silence, followed by MASSIVE applause. (note the use of bold letters for added impact). Hank, I'm telling you, this gem of a scene will have you digging those $2 shuruken you bought as a kid from the back of a comic and flinging them at any target-worthy object in the vicinity...
Equivalent to that there is the cinematography of the great John Toll. Since the sad passing of Conrad Hall, Mr. Toll is, in my mind, the greatest DP working today. Sure, many shooters could go to New Zealand and make it look breathtaking, but Toll can take you from a lush, wide-shot of a verdant valley magically lit with god-fingers, all the way down to a simple close up of a Japanese woman, with a composition and blend of light and color that will equally take your breath away. Every shot in this film looks like it came from National Geographic.
As any DP will tell you, no great period piece is worth two-shakes of a light meter without a great Production Designer and Costume Designer to boot, and both Lily Kilvert and Nigla Dickson deserve much applause for their beautiful work.
Beyond this, I regret that there's not much to write home about. Zwick got me with GLORY (though it doesn't hold up as well as I remembered) and I confess to enjoying LEGENDS OF THE FALL, but in this one the emotion is milked and milked and then milked some more... This guy must have been running around New Zealand looking for udders to drain because watching this film was like chugging from a five gallon jug of Mrs. Butterworth's.
Amongst my other pet-peeves is a film that pays such painstaking attention to detail in costume design, set decoration and myriad other facets that work extremely well at thrusting the viewer into 19th century Japan, and then in the same instant shows you battle scene after battle scene (none of which hold a candle to Braveheart) in which:
A) Tom Cruise is the only survivor;
B) No matter how many times he gets hit/kicked/smashed in the face, he still looks movie star pretty;
and, most irritating of all...
C) No matter how many people are fighting/dying/stabbing/hacking around him, ol' Tom can always take several moments to yell "NO!" when a buddy takes one on the battlefield without anyone coming even close.
I could go on and on about scenes that could have been great if they could breathe beneath the dripping, oppressive, cloud cover of overwrought sentiment that weighs on this film like an ever-living hangover. The last scene between Tom and the Emperor is excruciating in its length and need to udder-squeeze.
See it for NINJAS!!!! (you won't be sorry), but if you want some good old samurai swashbuckling, strap on your katana and pick up SHOGUN or SEVEN SAMURAI, or better yet, for some real buckles being swashed, plunk your doubloons down for MASTER & COMMANDER.
Yours in espionage,
Eye-Spy
Hmmmmm... when I read the original draft of this thing, the one scene that stood out was the Ninjas vs. Samurai scene. I hope I end up liking it more than Eye-Spy did, but his reaction sounds exactly like my feelings after reading it. Scary.
Thanks to all of you for sending in your reactions.
"Moriarty" out.
